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Remembering Zak Husein: Helping Others In Need
Hundreds of students, family, friends, and faculty came together at the University of Akron to honor one of their own -- the best way they know possible.
Helping others in need.
It was a packed ballroom in the third floor of the student union for a charity event to package 40,000 meals for those in need in honor of Zak Husein who was killed during a robbery at his family's pizza shop last December.
"Today is not a day to weep, it's a day to celebrate Zak and his legacy," said UA President Scott Scarborough. "Today is Zak's triumph."
The volunteers gathered to package the meals through the Stop Hunger Now program after collecting more than $10,000 in donations.
"I've never seen so much energy, passion and support of one person in my life," said Shaun Starkey, assistant program manager for Stop Hunger Now. "People are shoulder to shoulder, united for the life of this one individual. It's pretty phenomenal."
Zak's brother, Ammar, was among those in attendance to honor His late brother's life and leave a lasting impact on the community and beyond.
"I can tell you Zak's characteristics, his mentality, his hospitality, his actions, they're not by accident," said Ammar.
Hundreds at @uakron to package 40,000 meals for those in need to honor UA student Zak Husein. pic.twitter.com/BH0gkVD9S0
— Amani Abraham (@AmaniAbraham) April 19, 2016
Akron City Councilman Jeff Fusco presented Ammar with a proclamation to honor Zak's life and legacy he left behind.
Previous Coverage:
Charity Event To Honor Zak Husein
Zak Husein: A Life By Example
It's been more than three days since the shooting death of 21-year-old Zakaeria (Zak) Husein who was shot in the chest during a robbery at his brother's pizza shop in Akron.
Family and friends have used social media as an outlet to share stories and remember the University of Akron student as a kind individual who was devoted to his faith as a Muslim.
It was clear to see the impact he had on friends and family members. Hundreds attended a prayer service for Zak at the Islamic Center of Akron and Kent this week and his Facebook page is flooded with with messages, describing the young man as a thoughtful, kind, accepting and genuine individual who had a bright future ahead.
"Zak is one of, if not the, nicest guys I have ever met," said Amal Almahd, Zak's cousin and president of the Muslim Student Association at the University of Akron.
But in the midst of many positive comments, one specific remark stood out to Zak's cousin and Muslim Student Association (MSA) President Amal Almahd. She said the comment, attached to a picture of Zak, referenced the young man as a Muslim "waiting to be radicalized."
"It just hurt me so much to see that the person went and even took his picture to make such a hateful comment."
While the comment was hurtful, Almahd believes the memories shared of Zak's life has been able to counteract the verbal attacks targeting Muslims.
"Through Zak's actions, I think everyone could see that whatever hateful comments, or whatever Donald Trump and anyone is saying, is completely wrong," said Almahd. "If anything, he (Zak) really was the best example of a Muslim."
Zak was studying international business at UA and was an active member of MSA. He was shot and killed during a robbery at Premium New York Style Pizza on Glenwood Avenue Monday night.
Akron police released surveillance video of the robbery to help track down the gunman who was wearing all black and a mask. Husein can clearly be seen handing over the money to the robbery suspect. Originally , the suspect was described as a black male, but police later confirmed that they were not ruling out the possibility that the suspect was a woman.
Zak's family has offered a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that would lead to the conviction of the person responsible in the fatal shooting.
More than $3,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe account that has been set up to help Zak's family pay for funeral expenses.
Previous Coverage:
VIDEO 21-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Akron
UPDATE VIDEO 21-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Akron
Updated 1:34 p.m. Police say the gunman pictured in the surveillance video below appears to be one of the two people who robbed two Family Dollar stores on Saturday night by pistol-whipping employees.
They say one suspect could be a female.
Akron CrimeStoppers is offering a reward in the crimes.
NewsChannel 5 reports that Husein's family is offering a $50,000 reward in addition to a reward offered by Akron CrimeStoppers.
(Previous coverage) The shooting death of a 21-year-old at an Akron pizza shop is under investigation.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office reports the man was shot at Premium New York Style Pizza on East Glenwood shortly before 11 p.m. Monday night. He is identified as Zakareia Husein, 21, from Springfield Township. He suffered a fatal wound to the chest.
Updated 11:50 a.m. Akron police released surveillance video of the robbery as the gunman, clad in black with a mask covering his face, approached the cash register demanding money. Husein can clearly be seen handing over the money. The video does not include the shooting.
Police have also released surveillance video of the Family Dollar robbery on East Tallmadge Avenue on Saturday night, and the Family Dollar robbery a half hour later on South Main Street.
Husein was taken to Akron City Hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Police are asking for the public's help identifying the gunman.